How Wexner's vision for a city center led to a more fragmented Columbus

The retail magnate's efforts to develop New Albany and Easton Town Center created suburban enclaves rather than a unified downtown.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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As Leslie Wexner, the central Ohio retail mogul, faces a larger public reckoning over his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, a look back reveals how Wexner's efforts to develop the suburbs of New Albany and Easton Town Center contributed to the fragmentation of Columbus rather than the vibrant city center he desired.

Why it matters

Wexner's development projects, enabled by public subsidies, helped fuel the migration of residents and businesses from Columbus' urban core to the suburbs, weakening the city's tax base and contributing to socioeconomic divides. This case study highlights the unintended consequences that can arise when private interests wield significant influence over a city's growth and development.

The details

In the 1980s, Wexner and his developer friend Jack Kessler formed the New Albany Co. and began buying up large plots of land to develop the suburb of New Albany, which they initially dubbed "Wexley." They collaborated with architects to design a New Urbanist-inspired community of "McMansions" and corporate headquarters, subsidized by a deal that allowed New Albany to access Columbus' water and sewage without being annexed into the city. Meanwhile, Wexner pivoted to developing Easton Town Center, a massive open-air mall southwest of New Albany, which also received public subsidies for its highway exit.

  • In 1983, Wexner complained to the Columbus Dispatch about the lack of a vibrant downtown in the city.
  • Between 1977 and 1991, suburban school districts around Columbus saw exponential growth, with the Dublin Local school district growing 344%.
  • In 1986, Wexner and Kessler formed the New Albany Co. and began buying land to develop the suburb of New Albany.
  • In 1989, despite protests, the city of Columbus allowed New Albany to access its water and sewage without being annexed into the city.
  • By 2015, New Albany's Business Park had more than 3 million square feet of office space.

The players

Leslie Wexner

A central Ohio retail magnate who faced public scrutiny over his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, and who played a key role in the development of the suburbs of New Albany and Easton Town Center.

Jack Kessler

A developer and Wexner's friend who co-founded the New Albany Co. to develop the suburb of New Albany.

New Albany Co.

The company formed by Wexner and Kessler to develop the suburb of New Albany.

Georgetown Company

The company that collaborated with Wexner to develop Easton Town Center, a large open-air mall southwest of New Albany.

Yaromir Steiner

The architect behind Steiner + Associates who was hired by Wexner to plan Easton Town Center.

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What they’re saying

“'[T]here is no nucleus; there is no heart; there is no center. You have a bunch of people just spread out.'”

— Leslie Wexner (Columbus Dispatch)

“'It was one of the first efforts at placemaking. We wanted trees, fountains, squares. I was inspired by Boston, where you have interesting places strung together like pearls.'”

— Yaromir Steiner, Architect, Steiner + Associates (Columbus Dispatch)

“'It's not dissimilar from New Albany with its white fences, which give you the notion as you're arriving that New Albany is a special place.'”

— Adam Flatto, CEO, Georgetown Company (Columbus Dispatch)

What’s next

As Wexner faces continued public scrutiny, further examination of the long-term impacts of his development projects on the fragmentation of Columbus and its socioeconomic divides could provide important lessons for other cities grappling with the influence of private interests in urban planning.

The takeaway

Wexner's efforts to develop the suburbs of New Albany and Easton Town Center, enabled by public subsidies, contributed to the migration of residents and businesses from Columbus' urban core, weakening the city's tax base and exacerbating socioeconomic divides. This case study highlights the unintended consequences that can arise when private interests wield significant influence over a city's growth and development.